Esperion to Broaden Bempedoic Acid Phase III Trial Program

Esperion Therapeutics expanded its Phase III trial of bempedoic acid to include patients with hypercholesterolemia on any statin at any dose. The decision was based on positive results from a Phase II study of bempedoic acid added to atorvastatin.

That study met its primary endpoint, lowering LDL-C by 13 percent, compared to an increase of 9 percent in the placebo arm. Bempedoic acid also demonstrated an incremental reduction of 35 percent in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of underlying inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease.

Before the end of the year, Esperion plans to launch three Phase III studies in patients who are inadequately treated with lipid-modifying therapies. The placebo-controlled trials will assess bempedoic acid alone or in combination with ezetimibe in patients with high cholesterol with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.